Human Rights and Freedom in Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein Principality of Liechtenstein [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	15th best
Location	Europe
Population	37 9101
Life Expectancy	83.26yrs (2017)2

Liechtenstein performs very well in ensuring human rights and freedom compared to most other countries. Liechtenstein comes in the best 20 in supporting press freedom₃. It does better than average when it comes to its nominal commitment to Human Rights₄ (but low for Europe), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₅ (but low for Europe), LGBT equality in the 2020s₆, its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought₇. Human Rights Watch has declared that Liechtenstein "has worked incredibly hard, beyond all expectations given its size and resources, to establish routes to combat mass genocide at the United Nations in circumstances where investigations are being blocked by countries such as Russia and China"₈.

1. Liechtenstein's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets
   1. Press Freedom
   2. Freedom in the World
   3. Human Rights Watch Comments
   4. Nominal Commitment to HR
   5. HR Treaties Lag
3. Gender Equality Datasets
   1. Year Women Can Vote
4. Prejudice Datasets
   1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s
   2. Freedom of Thought
5. Links

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1. Liechtenstein's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#china #equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #liechtenstein #morals #politics #prejudice #russia #syria #tolerance

Compared to Europe (2025)9
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank9
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
28	San Marino	52.9
29	Latvia	54.0
30	Croatia	55.3
31	Liechtenstein	55.3
32	Hungary	58.2
33	Monaco	61.1
34	Montenegro	63.3
35	Serbia	67.5
36	Bulgaria	67.8
	Europe Avg	47.37
q=49.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)9
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank9
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
39	Latvia	54.0
40	Brazil	54.1
41	Croatia	55.3
42	Liechtenstein	55.3
43	Hungary	58.2
44	Micronesia	59.3
45	Chile	60.3
46	Monaco	61.1
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₀. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₀.

31 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₀, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₀.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Liechtenstein has worked incredibly hard, beyond all expectations given its size and resources, to establish routes to combat mass genocide at the United Nations in circumstances where investigations are being blocked by countries such as Russia and China (i.e., blocking investigations into Syrian Government abuses). Liechtenstein rallied support and its evidence-gathering mechanism was passed 105 to 15 "possibly creating a special tribunal for Syria should Russia continue to block a path to justice at the ICC"₈

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better3
Pos.		20253
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
9	Switzerland	83.98
10	Czechia	83.96
11	Germany	83.85
12	Liechtenstein	83.42
13	Luxembourg	83.04
14	Lithuania	82.27
15	Latvia	81.82
16	New Zealand	81.37
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Liechtenstein ranks 12th-best in the world in terms of supporting press freedom.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₁

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

On average throughout the 2010s, Liechtenstein's rate was 84.04.

2.2. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
44=	Belize	1.5
44=	Mongolia	1.5
44=	Lithuania	1.5
44=	Liechtenstein	1.5
44=	Grenada	1.5
44=	Latvia	1.5
44=	Bahamas	1.5
51=	Jamaica	2.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Regarding its average Freedom in the World rating, Liechtenstein comes 42nd in the world.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Liechtenstein (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1970s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Liechtenstein:	3.0	1.0	1.0	1.2
World Rank:	49th	⇡  1st	1st	⇣  46th
World Avg:	4.3	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.3. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better5
Pos.		2017 Score5
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
31=	Australia	3
31=	Hungary	3
33=	Gambia	2
33=	Liechtenstein	2
33=	Chile	2
36=	Paraguay	1
36=	Costa Rica	1
36=	Norway	1
	Europe Avg	3.5
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Liechtenstein ranks 33rd in the world with regard to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.4. Nominal Commitment to HR

#human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better4
Pos.		2009 Treaties4
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
37=	Slovakia	20
37=	Honduras	20
37=	S. Africa	20
37=	Liechtenstein	20
37=	Iceland	20
37=	Romania	20
37=	Bulgaria	20
37=	Burkina Faso	20
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

Liechtenstein is 29th in the world when it comes to its nominal commitment to Human Rights.

There are many international agreements on human rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of human rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.5. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better12
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty12
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
155	Equatorial Guinea	13.18
156	Vanuatu	13.21
157	Guinea-Bissau	13.23
158	Liechtenstein	13.28
159	Ireland	13.38
160	Oman	13.46
161	Uzbekistan	13.53
162	Mauritania	13.56
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amongst the highest in Europe Liechtenstein is positioned 158th in the world regarding speed of uptake of HR treaties.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

3.1. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
175=	Micronesia	1979
176=	Iraq	1980
176=	Vanuatu	1980
178	Liechtenstein	1984
179=	Djibouti	1986
179=	Central African Rep.	1986
181	Namibia	1989
182	Samoa	1990
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

With regard to the year from which women could participate in democracy, Liechtenstein comes 10th-worst in the world.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

• "Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #sexuality #tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better6
Pos.		Total Score6
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
32	Peru	2.40
33	Slovenia	2.38
34	Japan	2.31
35	Liechtenstein	2.30
36	Lithuania	2.19
37	Colombia	2.18
38	Greece	2.12
39	Andorra	2.01
	Europe Avg	1.77
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215.

When it comes to LGBT equality in the 2020s, Liechtenstein ranks 35th in the world.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₁₃. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₁₄. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₁₅. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s_16,17. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

• " LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

In Liechtenstein, after a period of legal prejudice, homosexuality was decriminalized in 1989, with the age of consent equalized in 2001. Sameâ€`sex couples gained access to registered partnerships in 2011. Antiâ€`discrimination protections based on sexual orientation were introduced in 2016. ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Liechtenstein had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination. Finally, sameâ€`sex marriage and adoption rights became legal in Jan 2025.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

•  ⇡  Supported a 2003 resolution at the UN Commission tabled by Brazil, on prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and supported it in 2004 (it was defeated both times by the Vatican and a collection of Islamic countries).
•  ⇡  Supported the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.
•  ⇡  Supported the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights, tabled by Argentina.
•  ⇡  In 2025, signed the UN Human Rights Council Joint statement on ending acts of violence and human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Averages by decade for Liechtenstein (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average	2020s  Average
Liechtenstein:	-5.00	-4.45	0.50	4.85	2.80	2.30
World Rank:	136th	⇡  128th	⇡  20th	⇡  17th	⇣  45th	⇡  35th
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.2. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better7
Pos.		20217
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
42=	Uruguay	2.3
43	Seychelles	2.3
44=	San Marino	2.5
44=	Liechtenstein	2.5
44=	Fiji	2.5
44=	Niger	2.5
44=	Senegal	2.5
44=	Kenya	2.5
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

When it comes to freethought, Liechtenstein ranks 44th in the world.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₁₈. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₁₉. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₂₀ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₂₁. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₂₂. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan_7,23 and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia_7,24.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₂₅. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₁₉, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₂₆ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₂₇ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

• "Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).